In support of the Earl Haig’s British Legion Relief Fund, Castlethorpe bestirred itself to very good purpose last Saturday and Sunday, with the result that £18.8.8 has been remitted to the headquarters of the fund.

Operations commenced soon after seven on Saturday morning, with a “peaceful picketing” of the station approaches, and raids on neighbouring houses by a dauntless band of six young ladies – three representing the Church – three the Chapel – armed with collecting boxes and prettily decorated baskets of poppies. It was intended later in the day to have made a descent on Haversham, but so successful was the morning’s campaign that the supply of poppies was entirely sold out at an early hour, and the intended foray, had to be abandoned for want of ammunition, which it is satisfactory to record had been most profitably expended. The sale of poppies was organised by Mrs. Seton and Mrs. Evans, and the lady seller, who raised a sum of £3 14/- were: Mrs. J. A. Cowley, Miss P. Bavington, Miss Maltby, Miss L. Marsh, Miss Rawlinson and Miss E. Cowley.

In the evening a really first class concert under the auspices of the ex-Services men’s Association took place at the Council Schools. Thanks to the untiring exertions of Mr. T. Osborne, J.P., a wonderful array of talent was provided. The artistes were: Miss N. Markham (Old Bradwell), Mr. T. W. Impey (Wolverton), Mr. B. Hobbs, Mr. W. R. Charlton (Newport Pagnell), Mr. J. Whiting (Stoke Goldington), Mr. Savage (Wolverton), Mr. H. H. Middleton, and Miss G. Atkinson (Cosgrove Priory). Mr. Middleton opened the concert with a brilliant interpretation of Chopin’s Polonaise in A, in his usual masterly style.

Each and all of the performers gave of their best, and the best reached a very high standard. A crowded audience showed its appreciation by vociferous applause, to which a generous response was made in the matter of encores. Mr. W. R. Charlton delighted everyone with his brilliantly rendered violin solos, in the success of which he owed much to the exquisite accompaniments of Mrs. Charlton L.R.A.M. Miss Nellie Markham sang with expression and charm, and Miss G. Atkinson, who accompanied herself on the piano, was heard to fine advantage, and as an encore for the ever popular “Annie Laurie” she favoured with “Alas, that spring should vanish,” from “The Persian Garden.” Mr. T. W. Impey is an old favourite with local audiences, and the enthusiastic reception given him on the present occasion was proof of the pleasure which his fine singing afforded. Mr. B. Hobbs has a most agreeable and well-trained voice which he used to the very best effect in his songs. Mr. Savage showed a wonderful memory and much histrionic talent which was highly appreciated, while Mr. Whiting convulsed the house with his genuine humour. Owing to illness Major A. Smith, who was down for one or two items, was unable to appear, his place in the second part of the programme being filled at short notice by Colonel the Rev. A. D. Seton, who sang “Sound the Pibroch,” and as an encore “Prince Charles Edward’s Farewell to Manchester.”

The concert was presided over by Lt.-General Sir Arthur Holland, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., M.O.V., who opened the proceedings by a short but most interesting address on the objects and needs of Lord Haig’s Fund, and at the close of the evening proposed votes of thanks to the performers, and to Mr. Osborne, which were carried by acclamation. Mr. Osborne, in reply, thanked Sir Arthur for do kindly coming to take the chair. His presence had been very encouraging and was another proof of his great interest in the disabled soldiers.

The programme was as follows: Piano forte solo “Polonaise in A” (Chopin), Mr. H. H. Middleton; song, “A little wooing,” Mr. T. W. Impey; violin solo, “Mazurka” (Wieniawski), (encored and “Abschied” by Ries given), Mr. W. R. Charlton; song, “I’m ticked to death” (encored and “Her mother came to” given), Mr. J. Whiting; song “Tommy Lad” (encored and “Old Fashioned Town” given), Mr B. Hobbs; song (a) “Devorion” and (b) “Awake my love,” Miss N. Markham; song, “I love the moon,” Miss G. Atkinson; monologue, “The last shot,” Mr. Savage; violin solo, “Liebesfrend” (Kriesler), (encored and “Humoresque” by Dvorak given), Mr. W. R. Charlton; song “Annie Laurie” (encored and “Alas that spring should vanish” given), Miss G. Atkinson; song, “Sound of the Pibroch” (encored and “Prince Charles Edward’s farewell to Manchester” given), Col. Rev. A. D. Seton; song “Red Devon by the sea” (encored) Mr. T. W. Impey; humorous song, “The non-stop dancing craze” (encored), Mr. J. Whiting; song, “O for a breath o’ the Moorlands” (encored), Miss N. Markham; song, Mr. B. Hobbs; monologue, “Roger Ploughman,” Mr. Savage; humorous song, Mr. J. Whiting. The very enjoyable and successful concert closed with a verse of the National Anthem.

On Sunday, the fifth anniversary of Armistice Day, the morning Service of Mattins, and Holy Communion celebrated by the Vicar the Rev. W. J. Harkness, was put forward to 10.45, and the two minutes silence was notified by a toll of the bell and was reverently observed.

At 3 p.m. a special service of Remembrance and thanksgiving, was conducted by Colonel the Rev. A. D. Seton, late R.A. (curate of the Parish).

At 2.30 a large number of ex-Service men, wearing their decorations and medals in accordance with the King’s expressed desire, formed up at the Ex-service Men’s Headquarters, and headed by Lt.-General Sir A. Holland who early in the morning motored to London to take part in the great National Service held in Westminster Abbey and returned hoe in time to take part in this one and who wore field service khaki, proceeded to the Church where special seats had been reserved for them. The church was crowded in every corner; even the porch was packed, and a large number of persons were unable to gain admission. After the Special Exhortation appointed for the occasion, during which the names of the fallen who belonged to Castlethorpe, were read out, the “General Confession” was said, followed by special Psalms and prayer. The special lessons were read by Sir A. Holland. After a brief address on the text from Isaiah lxii, II, “His reward is with him,” hymn 172 A.&M. was sung, during which a collection for Lord Haig’s Fund was made. A procession was then formed, and headed by a full choir singing Hymn 298 A.&M. proceeded to the Cenotaph at the east gate of the churchyard. The Choir lined up in the churchyard overlooking the monument, and facing the line of ex-Service men. Several beautiful crosses and wreaths of palms, laurels, poppies and other flowers from the Castlethorpe ex-Service Men’s Association and others having been reverently placed at the foot of the memorial, the officiating minister, supported by a bugler in khaki and wearing his medals, and a choir boy in surplice, read the prayers appointed for the occasion. After the singing of “For all the Saints who from their labours rest,” the “Last Post” and “Reveille” were finely sounded by Bugler Corporal A. Lehrie, late 2nd Bucks Battalion and the proceedings terminated with a verse of the National Anthem. The Blessing having been given, the choir returned to the church singing “O God our help in ages past.”

The brilliant sunshine rendered the scene at the service most picturesque, and the absolute stillness of the air enabled every word of prayers to be heard to the very confines of the large and most reverent congregation. Visitors were present in large numbers. Among those who attended were noticed. Mrs. Watts, of Hanslope Park; Lady Holland, Hanslope Lodge; Mrs. Atkinson, Cosgrove Priory; Captain and Mrs. Fergusson, Cosgrove Hall; Miss Balfour, and Miss Wells, Cosgrove Dower House; Miss Hull; Mrs Seton, of Mounie Castle, Aberdeenshire; Miss F. Watts, Miss Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. J. Whiting, and Mr. and Mrs. Cannon; Mr. and Mrs. Brown Castlethorpe, and Major and Mrs. Pollexfen Furtho House, Old Stratford.